[Community-service] Seeking ideas for the communityservicegroupseminar at national convention
Peter Donahue
pdonahue2 at satx.rr.com
Wed Feb 19 23:34:21 UTC 2014
Hello
Darian and everyone,
With all the difficulties blind people have with these two issues any and all divisions and affiliates of the NFB need to lend a hand in resolving it. Sure let's encourage the blind to become involved in community activities but let's not neglect the needs of our own members and others needing these services and who have reached the end of their ropes with trying to secure them through other channels.
Peter Donahue
----- Original Message -----
From: Darian Smith
To: Community Service Discussion List
Sent: Wednesday, February 19, 2014 3:44 PM
Subject: Re: [Community-service] Seeking ideas for the communityservicegroupseminar at national convention
Hi peter,
this is a good idea indeed.
I think finding the people to partner with you would be the first thing to do.
someone mentioned working with the Jernigan institute to see about the chances of this happening, and I think that if a group of people came to the institute with the idea and the willingness to see the idea through, they might be willing to support it.
i would say that based upon the goals and direction of the group, this probably wouldn’t be a project the community service group would take on however.
Darian
On Feb 18, 2014, at 7:48 AM, Peter Donahue <pdonahue2 at satx.rr.com> wrote:
Good morning everyone,
Not only should we seek to participate in other community events but how about conducting some community service activities within the NFB. Blind people all across this nation have a need for readers and drivers. Here is an idea where the NFB and other community organizations could work together to meet this need. Mary and I have had a devil of a time trying to have our snail mail read on a regular basis and finding transportation to reach destinations not in our local transit system's service area. Even when we have offered to pay someone to read our mail or to drive us somewhere our offers have been refused. On other occasions we have been offered assistance but when we try contacting the individual who said they would read our snail mail our calls go unreturned. I'm sure there are countless stories of other blind individuals who have had a similar experience.
Some of our chapters have talked about creating reader/driver pools in their communities but have yet to pull it off. Our Community Service Division could play a major role in making this a reality by working with the NFB Jernigan Institute, our local chapters and state affiliates. We should be able to partner with various volunteer organizations and individuals willing to provide these services to blind persons needing them. I hope this is discussed and acted upon so blind persons will have an easier time finding readers and drivers in the future.
Peter Donahue
----- Original Message -----
From: Darian
To: Community Service Discussion List
Sent: Monday, February 17, 2014 10:38 PM
Subject: Re: [Community-service] Seeking ideas for the communityservicegroup seminar at national convention
Why specifically blind people that have had success in AmeriCorps programs in Florida?
This electronic message has been brought to you by my mobile device.
On Feb 17, 2014, at 6:57 PM, "Denyece Roberts, MSW, RCSW" <peace05 at comcast.net> wrote:
Hello, I did two years in the Americorp. Americorp main office for Florida is located in Orlando. It would be nice to have someone from their office come and speak about some success services of blind people who have attended the program in florida.
----- Original Message -----
From: Darian Smith
To: Community Service Discussion List
Sent: Monday, February 17, 2014 5:24 PM
Subject: Re: [Community-service] Seeking ideas for the community servicegroup seminar at national convention
Hi all,
The overall focus will be on celebrating 20 years of AmeriCorps, and the service work that the blind have themselves contributed to the success of the program and the impact the program has had on those who have served.
We are inviting those who have served in AmeriCorps programs to share a bit about their experiences, what they’ve given, gained and the perceptions they believe they changed of the blind.
This will not constitute the entirety of the seminar, but it will have a place of prominence on the agenda.
we are looking into inviting service agencies to spend a few minutes talking about their programs and how attendees may involve themselves in service via what they have to offer.
I believe we are targeting the following agencies: the red cross, big brothers big sisters, habitat for humanity and hands on network. we’ll probably ask them to introduce themselves to the attendees and ask them to table in the back of the room should individuals have further questions regarding involvement in their local communities Hopefully we will use this opportunity to develop relationships with these agencies that we can cultivate over the coming years.
Hopefully we can delve deeper into possible partnerships with these agencies in the future. We could even look into the possibilities this year, but that depends on the interest a committed soul or two has in seeing that it happens. Unfortunately, this can be a bit of an undertaking and such folks are proving to be in short supply at the moment.
We have had some great help in finding the agencies and AmeriCorps alumni federationests, and this has proven to be invaluable effort and results-based action that those who have stepped up should be proud of.
I’m thinking we are still a few presenters away from this being the best seminar yet.
We also might be electing a slate of officers and board members. If this is true we will have to make some time for this and upon completion of the meeting we will have become a division of the national federation of the blind.
we will see how those details work out because we are still a ways from convention.
I hope this helps people help us find some great additions to the agenda
Best,
Darian
On Feb 17, 2014, at 1:14 PM, Cheryl Fields <cherylelaine1957 at gmail.com> wrote:
Ashly,
Yes, I think the hands on training may work better for next year. When
the red Cross is contacted the conversation, audio description for
videos, could begin at that time. It may take some time to have them
see the advantage in added it to their materials. I should have added
that this is a long range goal.
I want to hear about your experience, it may be valuable to hear
before the contact is made. smiles
Cheryl
On 2/17/14, Ashley Bramlett <bookwormahb at earthlink.net> wrote:
Cheryl,
It's a good idea. I agree with you it needs registeration and limit the
size of the workshops so they can give you all hands on instruction more
easily.
However, not everyone is open to the commitment to do first aid or cpr
training.
Think of how busy convention gets.
Time may be unavailable on either the hotel side or the convention
participants side to do it.
It may be easier to plan a shorter hands on service activity.
If you do contact them, I hope red cross is open to adaptations.
Unfortunatly, I had a bad experience attempting to volunteer in their local
office though and volunteering did not work out. I'll write about later
perhaps.
If I were planning something to do at convention, I'd probably pick the
hygene or food kits idea instead.
I'm just thinking about the convention group and all the things going on
there and the wide interest areas among conventioneers.
Ashley
-----Original Message-----
From: Cheryl Fields
Sent: Monday, February 17, 2014 3:35 PM
To: Community Service Discussion List
Subject: Re: [Community-service] Seeking ideas for the community
servicegroupseminar at national convention
Hi Everyone!
Great ideas! The cpr and first aid classes are a wonderful idea and
may require some registration.
Think about working with the Red cross to provide audio description
for all of the classes they use vvideos for. I'm not sure how
difficult it would be, most movies are audio described and most places
update materials on a regular basis so, it's worth asking. This would
benefit us across the country!
Cheryl F.
On 2/17/14, Darian <dsmithnfb at gmail.com> wrote:
Hi Serena,
It sounds really cool!
Tell me all about it! What's the name of the organization? How did you get
involved? Why did you get involved?
Darian
This electronic message has been brought to you by my mobile device.
On Feb 16, 2014, at 8:18 AM, Serena Nickell <scnickell1980 at gmail.com>
wrote:
Hi, I recently began volunteering with an organization that helps the
homeless. In addition to the above items we also give out small
flashlights and batteries (usually AA and AAA).
Serena
Sent from my iPhone
On Feb 16, 2014, at 10:09 AM, "Michelle Clark" <mcikeyc at aol.com> wrote:
Hi Michelle,
Here is a list of the items we generally add. Also, at the bottom, I
added a
draft of a letter I sent out to just people on my email list and the
Chapter. Hope it helps anyone who is interested in doing something like
this.
One other thing we do when we get large bottles of lotion, shampoo, ect
is
we hold them out and make up a gift type bag to give out as a special
gift.
My Church has a Christmas Party for a few local Women's Shelters and we
give
to them as well. This year, they had so much stuff left over they gave
the
rest to our Chapter!
Items we include:
1. Wash cloths
2. Soap
3. Toothpaste
4. Toothbrushes
5. Lotion or petroleum jelly
6. Shampoo
7. Conditioner
8. Mouthwash/non-alcoholic
In the past we have gotten a mixture of things such as:
Toilet paper
Mens deodorant
Women's deodorant
Sanitary items
Combs
Draft Letter:
Hello,
The National Harbor Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of
Maryland is a non-profit group of blind persons striving to help others
in
the Prince Georges County area who happen to be blind and low vision.
We
help one another through advocacy, outreach, networking, and sharing.
Also,
in the vision of our National Headquarters, we not only help ourselves,
we
help others.
This, in our fourth year, we will continue in our outreach to others
with
a
toiletries drive to donate Hygiene Kits to homeless persons. As we did
last
year through an array of generous donations, we were able to give out
approximately 120 bags of toiletries to assist persons who are in a
state
of homelessness. In addition, we were able to donate additional kits to
a
local church that regularly visits a shelter for women and children.
Since homelessness is on the rise and help is needed, our continual goal
is
to combine hygiene kits and distribute them to as many as we can. We are
partnering with a local non-profit agency that runs shelters and feed
homeless persons in Prince Georges County. They distribute these items
when
a person enters the shelters. We are asking your assistance with
donations
of toiletry items that will help us in this effort and please forward
this
message to anyone you feel will assist.
In specific we are asking for any combination of:
1. Soap
2. Shampoo
3. Lotion
4. Conditioner
5. Toothbrushes
6. Toothpaste
7. Washcloths
8. Mouthwash/non-alcoholic
9. Socks
10. Grooming items
11. Sanitary items
12. Any additional small item you feel a person living in the state
of
homelessness can use
If you and/or your organization are able to assist us in this effort,
please
let me know by contacting me directly by either email at mcikeyc at aol.com
or
via telephone at 301 583-8585 evenings or 202 720-1560 days by November
14th. We will be compiling these items on the Saturday before
Thanksgiving. Your contribution will be tax deductable and help in the
lives
of those who are in situations other than which we live.
To find out more about what we do, please visit our National website at:
www.nfb.org or our State website at www.nfbmd.org. You may also "like"
us
as
the National Harbor Chapter on our new Face Book page.
Sincerely Yours,
Michelle Clark
President
National Harbor Chapter
National Federation of the Blind of Maryland
"Changing what it means to be blind in Prince Georges County!"
-----Original Message-----
From: Community-service [mailto:community-service-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf of Catherine Michele Mitchell
Sent: Sunday, February 16, 2014 9:35 AM
To: Community Service Discussion List
Cc: Community Service Discussion List
Subject: Re: [Community-service] Seeking ideas for the community
servicegroupseminar at national convention
I also really like the idea of putting some kind of kits together as a
project at the convention.
I would also like to ask those of you who do this already in your
chapters
or affiliates to please email me lists of items you include in whatever
kit
you are making. I want to add materials like this to our resource bank
to
help other people do these kinds of projects.
Thanks, everyone!
Michele Mitchell
NFB Community Service Group
Research and Resource Committee Chair
Tupperware Consultant
781-790-3627
www.my.tupperware.com/michmitch
On Feb 15, 2014, at 5:01 PM, Cheryl Fields <cherylelaine1957 at gmail.com>
wrote:
I love the idea of hygene kits for the homeless. Our chapter collected
toiletries for a women's shelter last year, but we did not assemble
the items. The shelter was glad to receive the gift but we could have
saved them some time.
I will suggest this when we do it again, sounds like fun!
Providing a hands on opportunity for convention attendees is fantastic!
Cheryl
On 2/15/14, Denise Shaible <denise.shaible at att.net> wrote:
I like the idea of emergency preparedness. I know the Red Cross has
some
information on that and we all need to know about it. I also like the
idea
of the Red Cross providing small first aid kits. I remember buying
one
when
I took my first aid class when I lived in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. I don't
know
if they would provide them but, I'm wondering if we could assemble
them
if
we know what we need to put in them and then we could give them to our
members or whoever we wish to give them to.
I really like the idea of having someone speak about programs to feed
the
hungry or doing a service project with a local food bank. I don't
know
why
we couldn't help put bags of food together. Yes, it's an assembly
line
job
but, we do it at my church and we're able to feed between 50 and 100
persons
each month. It's rewarding to know we're doing anything to help and
to
promote the fact that we want to give not just get.
Regards,
Denise
-----Original Message-----
From: Michelle Clark
Sent: Friday, February 14, 2014 10:21 AM
To: 'Community Service Discussion List'
Subject: Re: [Community-service] Seeking ideas for the community
servicegroupseminar at national convention
Here in Maryland, my Chapter did reach out to the local agency and
they
provided emergency kits several years ago. As time has elapsed and
budgets
have shrunk, I find that is not happening anymore. I am thinking
someone
locally would have to initiate that? It would be important for us to
get
the information and to tie it in with serving an external group to get
the
information as well.
Michelle
-----Original Message-----
From: Community-service [mailto:community-service-bounces at nfbnet.org]
On
Behalf Of Cheryl Fields
Sent: Friday, February 14, 2014 11:53 AM
To: Community Service Discussion List
Subject: Re: [Community-service] Seeking ideas for the community
service
groupseminar at national convention
Hello,
Having the Red Cross is a great idea. In addition to the first aid,
ask if they provide disaster preparedness. It would be good to have
this information available, most people are not prepared and if they
need to evacuate may not know what the designated safe places are. it
could be taken a step further and provide back packs with most items
inside, if the budget allows for this.
Another idea is to plant a sensory garden at one of the convention
host hotels in Florida, since we are spending a few years there.
Plants and other materials can be donated from local garden centers.
I happen to be working on a similar event in Cleveland and another
idea from 1 of our brainstorming sessions was a mural. Making it
visible to the community sending a clear positive message about the
blind. The Cleveland chapter has a on going project, we volunteer at
the Cleveland food Bank re packing produce for distribution and while
working with the food bank a community produce distribution can be
arranged. It is rewarding and can be lots of fun!
Have a great weekend and Happy Valentine's Day!
CherylOn 2/14/14, Denise Shaible <denise.shaible at att.net> wrote:
Darian,
We spoke sometime ago about having a Representative of the Red Cross
give
a
presentation on first aid. Are you still interested in that? Please
let
me
know and I'll start researching it. Also, if you know any details
about
our
seminar, please send that as well. Thanks.
Regards,
Denise
From: Darian Smith
Sent: Thursday, February 13, 2014 10:26 AM
To: Community Service Discussion List
Subject: [Community-service] Seeking ideas for the community service
groupseminar at national convention
Hi all,
I'm looking for some great ideas for our seminar at National
convention.
any topics or presenters that could round out an already developing
and
exciting seminar. would be appreciated!
regards,
Darian
Darian Smith
Chairperson, Community Service Group -National Federation of The
Blind.
(415)215-9809
dsmithnfb at gmail.com
"
"I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the
only
ones
among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and
found
how to serve"
- Albert Schweitzer.
Your unwanted vehicle can be just what the blind need to make
possibilities reality.
Donate your car to the National Federation of the Blind today!
For more information, please visit: www.carshelpingtheblind.org or
call
1-855-659-9314
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Darian Smith
Chairperson, Community Service Group -National Federation of The Blind.
(415)215-9809
dsmithnfb at gmail.com
“
"I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve”
- Albert Schweitzer.
Your unwanted vehicle can be just what the blind need to make possibilities reality.
Donate your car to the National Federation of the Blind today!
For more information, please visit: www.carshelpingtheblind.org or call 1-855-659-9314
----------------------------------------------------------------------
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